No one may have entered the 2025 college football season on a hotter seat than Florida’s Billy Napier . After the No. 13 Gators’ 18-16 loss to South Florida on Saturday, someone needs to hand the fourth-year head coach a fire extinguisher — and maybe a hug.

Believe it or not, Napier actually cooled his seat a bit with last year’s 8-5 finish. Coming off his second losing season in Gainesville, he had plenty to prove. To make matters worse, Florida drew one of the toughest schedules in the country, facing six top-25 teams.

Starting 1-2, including a 41-17 beating by No. 19 Miami, it looked like Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin might fire Napier any day. Instead, Stricklin stuck with his coach, and the Gators closed the season on a four-game winning streak, knocking off two rank

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